Whites linked with loan move for Stoke City striker

Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Derby County are all interested in taking Stoke City striker Mamady Sidibe on loan, Sky Sports are claiming.

The 32-year-old former Mali International hasn’t played in over two years due to a horror sequence of injuries that almost led to his retirement.

Despite battling back to full fitness, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis didn’t include Sidibe in his 25 man squad leaving the Malian looking for a loan move.

Neil Warnock has spoke repeatedly about his need for reinforcements, highlighting the right-side of midfield and attack as two areas in particular where he’s short on numbers. However, with Paul Green and David Norris out injured, and Michael Brown doubtful with a hamstring problem, the Leeds United manager also requires cover in central midfield – a position he’s hoping to fill with Jermain Jenas.

Both of these moves will depend not only on the competition from other clubs, but also on the finances available to Neil Warnock. Jermaine Jenas shouldn’t be too much of an issue as it’s only a short-term loan, and since Spurs are keen on getting him back to full fitness, they’ll no doubt be willing to pay the majority – if not all – of his wages. Whether he’s at White Hart Lane or Elland Road, Jenas will still receive the same pay – the benefit of a short-term loan to Leeds is that Jenas will have chance to recover his match fitness.

Conversely, it’s all about the money for Stoke City. With Sidibe left out of Tony Pulis’ 25 man squad, he’s nothing more than an expensive reserve team player. It therefore stands to reason that Stoke will be looking to offload Sidibe to whichever club offers to pay the largest percentage of his wages.